Dog Community

How often do you give your pup a bath?

Posted : 8/28/2006 4:34:21 AM

I was wondering how often other people bathe their dogs? I usually give Gobi one once a week, he seems to get kind of stinky by fridays, His ears are cleaned 2-3 times a week, it's not a bad smell, just kind of strong doggy smell.
Is it bad for his skin to get a bath once a week? His skin is quite flaky now, but I think that is from being anemic earlier this month. What is a good shampoo to use? Right now we are using some oatmeal organic stuff that my wife picked up. I dont know the name or the brand, since I'm at work now.
Thanks in advance,
Justin

corvus

Posted : 8/28/2006 4:46:17 AM

What kind of dog is he? Some kind of hound? Some dog breeds are smellier than others. My corgi is pretty good. She's a grub, but all the dirt she gets into usually brushes right out of her coat. I wash her when she starts to look dirty and feel greasy all the time. It's not very often. Probably about once every couple of months. I've heard it can be bad for their skin to be bathed a lot as it strips the coat of their natural protective oils. But some dogs need baths more regularly.

HKdog

Posted : 8/28/2006 5:13:24 AM

He's a mixed breed, I don't know what he is actually, just dog. Its not a bad smell, just gets a little strong towards the end of the week. Very short hair also, and almost none on his belly, his hair is kind of picky like a shar pei, not very oily.
Just wondering what is a good shampoo, my old dog didnt have much smell at all, we bathed her about 1 time a month, unless she rolled in something dead, in the summer it seemed like a daily thing for her to roll!!

Haleigh l

Posted : 8/28/2006 5:48:42 AM

I only bathe them with a a hose in the summer. since it's only once a year, I use mens Axe bodywash. they like Phoenix the best[

]oh, and I spritz them with Four Paws doggy cologne every couple of days.

I would use a dry shampoo, because your risking a dry coat. It can really get rid of odors. Also, I would use a gentle oatmeal chamomile shampoo. that does wonders for smeel

haleigh

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 8/28/2006 8:23:00 AM

we only bathe our dogs a couple of times a year. they stay inside almost all the time and are rarely ever stinky. we keep their fur brushed regularly, and wipe the mud off their paws when it is wet out. we probably should bathe them in the next week or so, but then they havent had a bath since the beginning of the year.

glenmar

Posted : 8/28/2006 9:15:26 AM

By dogs get a bath a couple times a year and thats it unless someone really NEEDS one. when they go swimming, they generally get a quick hose off but that's about it.

And I use jut plain old baby shampoo.

Terri

Posted : 8/28/2006 9:38:26 AM

I usually bathe my boys every month or so. They get pretty stinky at daycare playing with all the other dogs. And when they lay out in the backyard, they get all dusty.

It takes about an hour to wash the two of them, so I try not to bathe them more than I need to. I brush them every couple of days to keep them cleaner.

t__m

Posted : 8/28/2006 10:08:37 AM

Talus gets a bath once a month usually....
He doesn't get smelly....
He loves the bathtub....

jeano

Posted : 8/28/2006 10:10:30 AM

I brush my dog almost every day and NEVER bathe her. She never gets a chance to roll in stinky stuff, and she's never off lead.

I had a cocker I washed about once a month, sometimes more because she'd always sneak into the shower with me. [

]

Once a week is way too much for your dog's skin. I suggest more brushing and less washing.[

]

If your dog smells it might be anal glands need to be emptied.

Xerxes

Posted : 8/28/2006 10:12:01 AM

Xerxes gets a bath before shows...usually once every month or two. Or if he's out playing in the mud. Since he's got no oil glands, he doesn't get smelly. I only use a gentle puppy shampoo.

mudpuppy

Posted : 8/28/2006 10:13:53 AM

twice a year whether they need it or not.
If they roll in something sticky then they get spot-cleaned.
It's not normal for a dog to be smelly-- what do you feed? a food change might fix the problem. Maybe it's the ears or anal glands?

jennie_c_d

Posted : 8/28/2006 10:44:43 AM

If your dog's skin is very flaky, then you probably shouldn't be bathing him so often. My JRT has to be bathed at least twice a week, due to her skin issues, but her skin is never flaky or dry. I use a good essential oil rinse, after I shampoo, or condition her.

HKdog

Posted : 8/28/2006 11:41:22 AM

The vet said his skin was flaky because of him being so anemic from tick fever, He doesn't stink, he just gets that doggy smell after a week. It seems like he is stronger smelling after he comes back from a run, which is understandable because I stink after a run also. There is nothing for him to roll in here,
I feed canidae all stages and mix in some boiled hamburger and raw twice a week, he gets lamb bones for a chew snack/meal/treat about 3 times a week. I can't find evo or the other good food here, the best I can get ahold of is canidae and beniful, not including what I cook for him. I usually throw in some shark squalene sp??? It's stinky fish oil, but his coat is so shiny now!
I swear this dog eats better than me!!! Honestly I need to start eating like him....no sugar, salt, only veggies lean meat and spuds...
Thanks all for the tips,

Melaney B.

Posted : 8/28/2006 11:43:46 AM

It all depends on the hair type of your dog! I only bathe my doxie once a month or so but i bathe my cocker every 2 weeks. My vet even said that you can bathe as much as you want with a mild shampoo, i use oatmeal and i love it! It makes there coat so silky, but that's just y dogs, every coat is different and will react to different shampoos differently, like humans!

Vivian

Posted : 8/28/2006 11:48:41 AM

I bath April about every two weeks. I use an oatmeal shampoo also and puppy tearless around her face and head.